Language Focus: The Language of Dramatic Change

skyrocketverb

To increase very suddenly and dramatically to a much higher level.

Examples

1 The price of eggs skyrocketed after the bird flu outbreak affected farms across the country.
2 After the video went viral, the company's sales skyrocketed overnight.
3 Demand for home office equipment skyrocketed during the pandemic as millions of people started working from home.
4 His popularity skyrocketed after his appearance on the talk show.

plummetverb

To fall very suddenly and dramatically to a much lower level.

Examples

1 When the scandal broke, the company's stock price plummeted by nearly 40% in a single day.
2 Temperatures plummeted overnight, and by morning the roads were covered in ice.
3 After the bad reviews came out, ticket sales plummeted and the show was cancelled after just two weeks.
4 Confidence in the government plummeted following the announcement of the new tax increases.

surgeverb

To increase suddenly and strongly, but in a more controlled or wave-like way than skyrocket.

Examples

1 Demand for the new model surged after it was featured in several major tech reviews.
2 Demand for electric vehicles has surged over the past decade as charging stations become more common.
3 Oil prices surged following the news of supply disruptions in the region.
4 Applications to the university surged after it rose in the national rankings.

slumpverb

To fall suddenly to a lower level, often suggesting a heavy or prolonged decline; also used to describe a physical posture.

Examples

1 Profits slumped in the third quarter after a series of costly production delays.
2 Retail sales slumped to a five-year low during the unseasonably cold winter months.
3 Consumer spending slumped as inflation continued to rise and people cut back on non-essentials.
4 The team's performance slumped badly in the second half of the season.